The NBA Cup has officially landed in Las Vegas, and while the spotlight is on the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks battling for the inaugural title, the tournament’s ripple effects are being felt far beyond the Strip. One of the biggest shakeups?
The NBA Coach of the Year race. With key upsets, breakout performances, and evolving team identities, the in-season tournament has added a new layer of intrigue to an already competitive coaching landscape.
Let’s break down where things stand in the latest Coach of the Year power rankings - and why each name on this list has earned their spot.
5. Joe Mazzulla - Boston Celtics
(Last week: No. 4)
Joe Mazzulla holds steady in the top five, and it’s not hard to see why. The Celtics are playing like a team with their eyes firmly set on June, not just December. If the season ended today, Boston would lock in home-court advantage, sitting third in the Eastern Conference - and they’ve looked every bit the part of a title contender.
Over their last 13 games, Boston has dropped just three. That stretch includes the league’s top offensive rating, and it’s not just about volume - it’s about efficiency.
The Celtics are drilling 40.1% of their threes (third-best in the league) while launching the second-most attempts per game (42.8). That’s a lethal combination, and it’s been the backbone of their recent surge.
Add in the fact that they lead the NBA in fewest turnovers per game, and you’ve got a team that’s executing at a high level on both ends. Mazzulla’s fingerprints are all over this - from the spacing to the ball movement to the trust in role players. The Celtics are playing smart, disciplined basketball, and that’s a reflection of their head coach.
4. JJ Redick - Los Angeles Lakers
(Last week: No. 2)
JJ Redick takes a bit of a tumble this week, and the timing of it couldn’t be worse. The Lakers’ 132-119 loss to the Spurs in the NBA Cup hit hard - not just because it ended their tournament hopes, but because it exposed some lingering issues on both ends of the floor.
Still, Redick’s coaching debut deserves credit. Navigating a roster that’s been anything but stable, Redick has had to make constant adjustments. With Austin Reaves sidelined and LeBron James returning, the Lakers have been in flux - and that’s without mentioning the challenge of keeping the offense flowing without their second-leading scorer.
At 2-2 over their last four, the Lakers are still finding their footing. But the upcoming stretch - three more games on a tough road trip - will be a key test for Redick’s leadership and ability to adapt on the fly. This ranking reflects both the promise he’s shown and the pressure that’s mounting.
3. Mitch Johnson - San Antonio Spurs
(Last week: No. 5)
Here’s your biggest climber of the week - and for good reason. Mitch Johnson has the Spurs playing with a swagger that’s hard to ignore.
When Victor Wembanyama went down earlier this season, it looked like San Antonio might take a step back. Instead, they leaned in, got grittier, and came out sharper.
With Wemby back in the mix, the Spurs are rolling. Their statement win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Cup semifinals was no fluke - it was a team playing with belief, purpose, and cohesion. That win made San Antonio just the second team to beat OKC this season, and it’s vaulted them into serious contention.
Now tied with the Lakers at 18-7, the Spurs are showing they’re not just a fun story - they’re a threat in the Western Conference. Johnson deserves a ton of credit for keeping the ship steady during Wembanyama’s absence and now unlocking the team’s full potential with his star rookie back on the floor.
2. JB Bickerstaff - Detroit Pistons
(Last week: No. 2)
The Pistons are rolling, and JB Bickerstaff is right at the heart of their rise. Detroit has now won three straight and sits at 20-5 - becoming just the second team this season to hit the 20-win mark. That’s not just hot - that’s historic pace territory.
What’s powering this surge? Bickerstaff’s steady hand and the breakout of two young stars.
Cade Cunningham is putting up MVP-level numbers, averaging 26.9 points, 9.1 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per game. He’s controlling the tempo, making the right reads, and hitting big shots.
Meanwhile, Jalen Duren is turning heads with a career-high 18.6 points and 11.3 rebounds per game - numbers that scream All-Star.
Bickerstaff has built a system that lets these young talents shine while also holding the team accountable on defense. Detroit’s not just winning - they’re dictating games. And that’s a testament to the culture Bickerstaff is establishing.
1. Mark Daigneault - Oklahoma City Thunder
(Last week: No. 1)
Yes, the Thunder finally lost. Their 16-game winning streak came to a halt in the NBA Cup semifinals against the Spurs. But let’s not overreact - Mark Daigneault’s squad is still 24-2, and they’re still on pace to flirt with some all-time win records.
That kind of dominance doesn’t happen by accident. OKC has been the most consistent force in the league so far, and they’ve done it while managing injuries and rotating lineups.
What’s kept them steady? Defense.
The Thunder boast the NBA’s top-ranked defense, and it’s been the foundation of everything they do.
Daigneault has built a team that’s not only tough and talented but also resilient. Now that they’ve been knocked off their perch, the question becomes: how do they respond? If history is any indication, they’ll bounce back with purpose - and Daigneault will have them locked in.
Final Thoughts
The NBA Cup has added a new wrinkle to the season, and it’s forced us to look at coaching performances through a different lens. It’s not just about wins and losses anymore - it’s about how coaches are responding to pressure, adjusting on the fly, and getting the most out of their rosters.
From Daigneault’s dominance to Johnson’s rise, the Coach of the Year race is shaping up to be one of the most compelling storylines of the season. And with plenty of basketball left to play, expect this leaderboard to keep shifting.